Beschreibung:

(Hancarville, P. F. Hugues de). Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman Antiquities from the Cabinet of the Hon. William Hamilton Bd. 1-2 (von 4) in 2 Bdn. Neapel, F. Morelli, 1766-67. Fol. (48:38 cm ). Mit 4 gest. kol. Titeln, 3 gest. Widmungsbll. u. 219 (94 kol. , 32 doppelblattgr. ) Kupfertafeln sowie 33 gest. Vignetten u. Initialen. 17 7 S. , 1 Bl. ; 16 8 S. Rote Hldr. des späteren 19. Jahrhunderts mit Kopfgoldschnitt, teilw. berieben. ( ) Blackmer 845; Cohen-R. 474; Ornamenstichkat. 890. - Erste Ausgabe. Die beiden ersten Bände der prachtvollen Publikation. "Edition splendide et de grand luxe" (C.-R.). "This sumptuous work describes Hamilton's first collection of vases, which was sold to the British Museum in 1772. The text is Hugues's work; in volume 1 and 2 he deals with the collection itself, and the text is in French and English. This work is of great importance in the development of neo-classical designs for pottery and porcelain; it influenced Wedgwood escpecially" (Blackmer). - Teilw. etwas stock- und fingerfleckig, gering gebräunt. Jeweils letzte Tafel in Bd. 1 und 2 angeschmutzt. Tafel 25 und 45 in Bd. 1 mit restauriertem Einriss im Plattenrand bzw. Abriss im weißen Rand. Volume 1-2 (of 4) in 2 volumes. First edition of this luxurious publication, limited to 500 copies (Blackmer), and richly illustrated. Describes the collection of ancient vases assembled by Hamilton after his appointment to the court of Naples in 1764. Pierre Francois Hugues d'Hancarville, an authority on ancient art, had introduced Hamilton to the Porcinari family, the owners of a large collection of ancient classical vases which Hamilton bought and enlarged, and then sold to the British Museum in 1772. Before their shipment of England, all the objects were listed, drawn and described. - Some foxing and thumbing, slight browning in places, some soiling to last plate of volume 1 and 2. Plate 25 and 45 with restored marginal defects. Bound in late 19th cent. red half morocco, somewhat rubbed.